ECDA ANCHOR OPERATOR SCHEME (AOP)​​

​The Anchor Operator (AOP) scheme provides funding support to selected preschool operators to increase access to good quality and affordable early childhood care and education, especially for children from lower income or disadvantaged backgrounds. The scheme started in 2009 and was further enhanced in 2014. Operators will receive funding to:

a.Keep to a monthly fee cap of $720, $1,275 and $160 (excluding GST) for full-day child care, full- day infant care and kindergarten respectively, and ensure any fee increases are kept affordable for parents.

b.Invest in improving quality of early childhood care and education.

c.Support continuing professional development and career progression opportunities for EC professionals.

For further enquiries, please contact sector_funding@ecda.gov.sg​ and provide us with your query and contact details, or call our hotline at 67359213.

HOW WILL YOU BENEFIT FROM THE AOP SCHEME?

The five AOPs were selected based on their track record and proposals, which were evaluated on a range of criteria, including:

• financial stability,

• governance processes,

• programme quality and affordability, and

• the ability to increase capacity.

The selected AOPs demonstrated commitment and ability to meet the demand for early childhood services, offer good quality and affordable programmes, expand outreach to low income families, and provide sector leadership in manpower development.

2. What is the AOP scheme duration? Will there be an extension of the scheme after 5 years?

Operators selected to be AOPs will receive funding support from Year 2014 – 2018. We will evaluate the possibility for extension at the end of the appointment, taking into consideration the outcomes of the scheme.

3. Would ECDA open a second round of applications?

ECDA will monitor the implementation of the scheme before considering whether another round of applications is necessary.​